In a perfect world, the holidays offer the best of times filled with warmth and companionship. We luxuriate in the love of those who mean everything to us. When a loss occurs, not only are celebratory patterns threatened, but suddenly it becomes painful to negotiate a regular day.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression and anxiety related to the decrease of sunlight in the autumn months. It generally starts at about the same time each year and, not surprisingly, ends when spring reliably delivers more sunlight each day.

Raise your hand if you recently said yes to something you really wanted to say no to. It often happens this way: you’re nice, nice, nice until you have a meltdown and realize how far away from your own priorities you have drifted.

Learning to see yourself clearly is as elusive as looking into a pond's reflection on a breezy day. As we learn to look without judgment, and be present for what is before us, the wind drops and the image becomes clearer and more focused.